STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1234

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 1163

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1163, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOSTER CHILDREN'S TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist foster youth in their transition toward independence by requiring foster youth 14 years of age or older who are in permanent custody or foster custody to participate in an age appropriate independent living program.

     The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Human Services provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Adding provisions allowing certain children to attend all permanent plan review hearings and requiring that notice of the hearings be served to the children in a timely manner; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1163, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1163, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair